House resolution eyed to clarify pause of driver's license confiscation

House public accounts committee chairman Bicol-Saro Representative Terry Ridon will file a resolution next week seeking clarification on the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) order suspending the confiscation of driver's licenses of motorists involved in traffic violations.

At a news forum in Quezon City, Ridon said Congress will check "technical issues" that need to be reconciled in implementing the latest policy, which the DOTr ordered on its agency, the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The lawmaker said suspending the confiscation of driver's licenses of traffic violators might give erring motorists a "trade pass" as there would be "no way for enforcers to determine if a certain driver is 'on alert.'"

On Friday, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued a memorandum ordering the LTO to suspend the confiscation of driver's licenses, as well as amending the lead time in settling traffic apprehension cases from 15 calendar days to 15 working days "to afford both the government and the public sufficient time to resolve cases."

Ridon added that his resolution would seek to clarify the change in the lead time in settling traffic apprehension cases, noting that the Traffic Code prescribes "calendar days." 

Lopez earlier said the policy amendment was in line with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive to streamline and clarify procedures in apprehending erring motorists whose driver's licenses have been confiscated.

The LTO was also ordered to strictly enforce the automatic suspension or revocation of the license should the driver fail to settle the case within 15 working days.

The memorandum is set to take effect immediately. — VDV, GMA Integrated News